my soft-and-cuddly animals

I can’t believe it’s been nearly a year since I last wrote here! A lot has changed in these ten months, as I am now expecting a little one come late winter. Over the past several months, I have been alternately exhausted, elated, and anxious–and sometimes all three at once. Of course one of the first things I thought about was what books I had to have for the baby’s library. I have a list that continues to grow, and for someone who lives immersed in children’s books, winnowing the list to a manageable size is a sweat-inducing challenge. So in order to give myself the ultimate challenge, I’m highlighting my top five (board) books for my little one, in no particular order because c’mon.

What Does Baby Want? by Tupera Tupera

Spoiler alert: Baby wants milk. This tiny book has so much going for it–a pro-breastfeeding message, gleeful cheekiness, and a unique and clever design.

Because one thing I want my kid to learn is that “love was meant to be passed on” (and that there are many ways to be nice). And Stein’s art is full of joy and childlike playfulness, so it’s fun for little eyes to look at.

This is the only book on this list that was originally published as a picture book, but it is one that translates perfectly to the board book medium. Minimal text and bright, dynamic illustrations invite gazing and reading aloud.

My favorite thing about this book is that it highlights, in the simplest ways, that while we may look very different from one another, we have a whole lot in common. I’m of the opinion that it’s never too early to introduce this concept to little ones, and this book does it brilliantly for babies. And I love that this edition is bilingual!

I absolutely love all of Deneux’s innovative board books, but I love this one in particular for its two-in-one combo: The black and white color scheme that appeals to the youngest of eyes and the tactile element that promotes sensory exploration. Perfection!